Rise in drowning deaths due to alcohol intake

Beaches, Penna River and other local ponds in the district have been witnessing drowning deaths even though parents and others warn youth to be cautious during fun and recreation activities in summer during vacation.

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Nellore: Beaches, Penna River and other local ponds in the district have been witnessing drowning deaths even though parents and others warn youth to be cautious during fun and recreation activities in summer during vacation.

Highlights:

82.1 per cent of all drowning deaths were male youngsters in the age group of 15 and 19

1.2 million people around the world die by drowning every year

Inebriated condition would lead to low response during disaster which makes the person non-cooperative, warn doctors

In a worrying development, youngsters are entering water bodies after consuming alcohol are dying leaving the families in an unbearable grief and misery. Data shows that there were 40 drowning deaths this year where majority are them in the age group of 15 to 29 have consumed alcohol. The three most common locations for these tragedies were rivers that contribute 33.3 per cent, beaches 25.6 per cent and the Bay of Bengal 23.1 per cent.

More specifically, 82.1 per cent of all drowning deaths were male youngsters in the age group of 15 and 19. “Body temperature drops more quickly in water than on land, and it doesn't take long for hypothermia to set in. If they are taken to the nearest medical facility there are chances for survival,” said Dr G Ramakrishna Reddy, a retired medical officer.

Inebriated condition would lead to low response during disaster which makes the person non-cooperative, he added. Even as drowning deaths are increasing there has been no appropriate vigil by various departments to prevent such occurrences.

Consequently, the disasters have been unending. The district is having around 170 km of sea coast from Kavali to Tada. There are three major beaches in the district in which two are closer to the Nellore. Kotha Kodur and Mypadu are within a distance of 30 km from city where people can reach by motorcycles and buses.

Majority of the students will move to the coast for swimming especially during the summer without leaving a word to the parents. Two youngsters drowned in the Bay of Bengal at Kotha Kodur on March 12 this year. They went for swimming along with five friends to the beach. Four persons drowned at Mypadu beach in the last six months.

A senior police official said that they had taken measures at the beaches to prevent such occurrences cautioning the enthusiastic people on possible disasters. “Police personnel were deployed at the sea coast to prevent untoward incidents in the areas. We are not allowing students, who want to venture into sea after consuming alcohol. We had engaged a special boat to save the lives of the people at the beaches,” said the official.

People accuse that the state government has been confining to statements about water sports and other recreation at the beaches. If they do it, there would be lesser chances for these disasters as more than half of all drowning deaths that occur at sea coast.

Statistics indicate that 1.2 million people around the world die by drowning every year, that is more than two persons per minute and from that more than 50 per cent are children. In Nellore, grown up children are losing their lives due to various reasons which needs to be addressed.